Teachers and colleagues give new Wyandotte Public Schools Supt. Dr. Carla Harting (seated, center) a standing ovation Tuesday following the announcement at the Board of Education meeting in the Wyandotte City Council chambers.
By ANDREA POTEET
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE — Wyandotte Public Schools has a new superintendent.
The Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Carla Harting to replace Patricia Cole, who will retire at the end of the school year.
Harting is principal of special education and child accounting for the district and was the sole internal candidate for the position.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to serve the district as superintendent,” Harting said. “My goal is to continue the tradition of excellence we have in Wyandotte.”
Harting’s three-year contract will run from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2014.
Cole called her the best candidate “whether internal or external,” citing Harting’s knowledge of the district, finance law, personnel and labor, as well as her role in creating successful initiatives to improve student achievement within the special education program.
Treasurer Robert Kirby said Harting would ease the transition to new personnel for the district, which also must replace Business Manager David Gutenschwager, Director of Operations Edward Campbell and Payroll Administrative Assistant Patricia Markiecki, who also plan to retire at the end of the school year.
“I think she’s going to do this district a very great service in transitioning,” Kirby said. “Other districts may have to replace one person in their central office; we’re replacing three. The top tier is definitely the building block.”
Trustee Chris Calvin said Harting will be a value to the district because of her knowledge of it and her ability to “take off running,” to solve problems.
“I always joke with her about needing a new pair of tennis shoes,” Calvin said. “That’s the type of person she is, always running to make sure everything is taken care of and (that) the best is being done for the administration and the students.”
Harting began her Wyandotte career at Madison School, where she worked with cognitively impaired students. She also has worked in the district as a resource room teacher and teacher consultant with the general and special education programs.
Harting then became a department chairwoman and resource room teacher at Roosevelt High School before becoming principal of the Special Education and Child Accounting departments. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees in special education.